THE INFLUENCE OF HUME’S CONCEPTION OF HUMAN NATURE ON HIS THEORY OF THE STATE: A CRITICAL OVERVIEW OF THE BASIS OF CIVIL SOCIETY

Abstract

David Hume's conception of human nature played a significant role in shaping his theory of the state which serves as the basis for civil society. According to Hume, human beings are inherently social creatures who are driven by self-interest and a desire for happiness. In order to achieve happiness, humans must interact with one another and form communities. This idea of human nature as social and selfinterest led Hume to develop a theory of the state that emphasized the need for government to protect individual rights and promote the common good. This research therefore will use the conceptual analytic method to breakdown concepts into components and critically analyse their implications in Hume's understanding.